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History at The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe

Course description

A Level History is extremely popular at the RGS and in recent years we have had a number of students go on to read the subject at some of Britain’s top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

To support our students’ academic study we organise a programme of extra-curricular opportunities to enhance their understanding and foster a love of the subject. In the Spring, the Department hosts its annual ‘History Lecture’ for RGS students as well as students from around the county and we welcome one of the country’s leading historians to this event. In addition, the Department organises numerous visits to support the curriculum and in the past we have travelled to a wide variety of destinations including Russia, China and the USA.

Due to popular demand the History department offers two courses, of which students can only choose one. Students embarking on these courses would be expected to have at least a B Grade at GCSE.

Course content

MedievalThe Crusades c1095 – 1204

Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom c1053 – 1106

The Golden Age of Spain 1474 – 1598

The Tudor Age

ModernRussia 1917 – 1991. From Lenin to Yeltsin

Mao’s China 1949 – 1976

The British Experience of Warfare c1790 – 1918

The “America Dream”

Entry requirements

Grade B in History

Future opportunities

History can be studied at almost every university in the country. The majority of students choose courses that combine Medieval, Early Modern and Modern History; but it is possible to study Medieval History alone, for example.

History can be studied with other subjects. For example:- Politics- Economics- Geography- Modern Languages- English

Many who study A Level History go on to study new subjects at university like Law, Journalism, Politics, International Relations and Archaeology for which knowledge of History provides a useful background.

The standard entry requirement for History at university has risen in recent years and, while the very top universities now expect an A Grade at A Level, there are a number of excellent courses which require a B Grade for entry. It is a popular subject and attracts a good type of undergraduate, usually one with a wide range of interests.

What can you do with a History degree? Getting ahead in today’s job market relies on having skills. This is particularly true when we consider that most people will have up to seven different jobs in their working lives. Even in apparently unrelated, specialised fields, such as Accountancy, History graduates do well, because after further training they display general ability and a well-rounded approach to problems.

Some graduates become teachers or civil servants - the kinds of careers History graduates have long done. But, they are by no means limited to these. Today's history graduates find that they have very wide opportunities. They become merchant bankers, lawyers, publishers, production managers, journalists, computer programmers, advertising specialists, website consultants and so on.

How to apply

If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe directly.